In a dazzling display of excellence and innovation, the winners of this year's prestigious Community Energy Awards were unveiled on Friday night (17 November), at the Lowry in Salford Quays. The event, which brought together over 100 community energy enthusiasts, was made possible through the generous support of headline sponsors, Electricity North West.
The awards ceremony served as a platform to showcase emerging areas of development within the community energy sector, emphasising the tangible benefits these initiatives bring to the lives of local residents.
Guiding the audience through the evening's festivities was Phil Coventry, Head of Operations at Community Energy England (CEE). Distinguished speakers included Emma Bridge, Chief Executive of CEE, Helen Seagrave, Electricity North West, Jonathan Atkinson, Co-Founder of Carbon Co-op, and Kevin Frea, Founder of Climate Emergency UK.
Emma Bridge, Chief Executive at CEE, said:
“The Community Energy Awards is one of our favourite events of the year as it highlights and reminds us what can be achieved when communities come together and invest in their future. We will be recognising the achievements of organisations from across the country, which go far beyond the generation of clean energy. The awards is our annual celebration of all things community energy and a chance for us to, once again, shine a light on the sector and bring together organisations who share a similar ethos and vision”.
Helen Seagrave, Community Energy Manager at Electricity North West said:
“We are thrilled to support the Community Energy Awards 2023. Through our sponsorship, we aim to spotlight and celebrate the remarkable individuals, groups, and projects that are driving positive change in the communities we serve, and throughout England and Wales.’’.
The awards ceremony featured a total of 18 awards, each bestowed upon community energy organisations and their supporters. These recipients were celebrated for their innovation, expertise, and unwavering passion, all contributing to a collective goal; creating an energy system that is cleaner, greener and for the benefit of people over profit.
Before the glittering ceremony unfolded, an esteemed panel of judges meticulously selected winners across various categories following an open application process. Community Energy England extends heartfelt gratitude to the judges, nominators, nominees, sponsors, and the dedicated staff at the Lowry for their invaluable support in making this celebration happen.
For a comprehensive look at all the winners and highly commended, see case studies linked below.
Collaboration in Community Energy
WINNER: Thrive Renewables
Fuel Poverty Action
WINNER: Exeter Community Energy
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Cumbria Action for Sustainability
Supportive Local Authority
WINNER: North Lincolnshire Council
WINNER: Essex County Council
Community Engagement and Inclusion
WINNER: Exeter Community Energy
HIGHLY COMMENDED: CPRE
Climate and Environmental Impact
WINNER: Cumbria Action for Sustainability
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Springbok Sustainable Wood Heat Co-operative
Advancing Innovation
WINNER: Rossendale Valley Energy
Progress in Expansion
WINNER: York Community Energy
Sector Support
WINNER: Community Energy South
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Power to Change
Small Community Energy Organisation of the Year
WINNER: Derbyshire Dales Community Energy
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Grimsby Community Energy
Large Community Energy Organisation of the Year
WINNER: Cumbria Action for Sustainability
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Egni Co-op
Community Energy Champion
Pete West from Energy Local CIC/ Dorset Community Energy